Educational Psychology
Self-paced online Educational Psychology course (Psychology 120). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
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1 credit = 30 points: Virginia renewal options
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
Virginia teaching license renewal points come from eight options. In VDOE's Renewal Manual, college credit is 30 points per semester hour up to 180 points, and professional development activities are one point per clock hour, also up to 180. A ten-year license needs 270 points and a five-year renewable license 180.
The eight options and their values
8VAC20-23-110 lists eight ways to earn points, and VDOE's Renewal Manual gives each a point value and a cap. The figures below are from the manual for five-year renewable licenses, updated January 2023. Ten-year license holders should check the current manual for their caps.
| Option | Points | Cap |
|---|---|---|
| 1. College credit | 30 per semester hour; 20 per quarter hour | 180 |
| 2. Professional conference | 5 per day attended; 15 per presentation | 45 |
| 3. Curriculum development | 1 per clock hour, at least 5 hours | 90 |
| 4. Publication of article | 45 per article or report | 90 |
| 5. Publication of book | 90 per book | 90 |
| 6. Mentorship | 1 per clock hour | 90 |
| 7. Educational project | 1 per clock or contact hour | 90 |
| 8. Professional development activity | 1 per clock or contact hour, at least 5 hours | 180 |
Why college credit goes furthest
At 30 points per semester hour, college credit packs the most points into the least time. One 3-credit course is 90 points. Two are 180 points, the full five-year requirement and two-thirds of a ten-year one. To earn 180 points under option 8 you would need 180 clock hours of approved activities.
The conditions matter. The course must give new information, come from a regionally accredited two-year or four-year college or university, be taken for credit and end with a passing grade or a pass. An official transcript is the proof.
- 3-credit course = 90 points
- Two 3-credit courses = 180 points
- Official transcript needed
- Passing grade or pass
Planning 270 points for a ten-year license
A common plan mixes options. Two college courses give 180 points; the last 90 can come from conferences, curriculum work, mentoring or approved professional development hours. Spread the work across the ten years rather than leaving it to the final year, when summer courses fill early and approvals take time.
Keep each certificate, agenda and transcript in one folder with the dates and the approval. Points earned with approval in one Virginia division carry over if you move to another.
Approval rules
The manual says every activity needs prior approval from the division superintendent or designee if you work in a Virginia educational agency. Teachers not employed by one send a written request for pre-approval to VDOE's licensure office, with the course or activity details. For a college course, VDOE asks for a description printed from the college catalog showing the college, course number, title and credit hours.
The renewal application goes to your employing division, or to VDOE if you are not employed, with a $50 nonrefundable fee.
Where UPI Study can help
UPI Study is not an accredited college, so its courses are not option 1 college coursework on their own. Its courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended, and they become college credit only via a college transcript from a partner college such as TESU, UoPeople or Newlane. Whether VDOE or your division counts that credit, or counts the course as an option 8 activity at one point per clock hour, is their decision. Ask in writing before you enrol; PRO is $99 a month for every course, including Educational Psychology and Psychology of Diversity.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask your division superintendent's designee, or VDOE if you are not employed, to confirm in writing which option a course counts under and how many points before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Is a quarter-hour course worth fewer points?
Yes. The Renewal Manual counts one quarter hour as 20 points, against 30 for a semester hour. Check whether your college uses semesters or quarters before you plan the number of courses you need.
Can I earn all 270 points from college credit?
The five-year manual caps college credit at 180 points, so plan other options for the rest. Ten-year license holders should check the current manual and ask their division about the cap that applies.
Do conference hours count?
Yes, under option 2. The manual gives 5 points per day of participation and 15 points per presentation, up to 45 points, for workshops, institutes or seminars of four or more hours.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Psychology of Diversity
Self-paced online Psychology of Diversity course (Psychology 112). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
College Algebra
Self-paced online College Algebra course (Math 111). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Only after your division or VDOE confirms in writing which option a course counts under.
Sources
- VDOE: Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual (five-year renewable license, updated January 2023; read from the Internet Archive copy of https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/40586/638079887225000000) (official)Option 1 college credit: coursework from a regionally accredited two-year or four-year college or university, taken for credit, passing grade or pass; maximum 180 points; one semester hour = 30 points, one quarter hour = 20 points; verified by official transcript. Option 8 professional development activities: one point per clock/contact hour, minimum five hours per activity, prior approval if employed in a Virginia educational agency, maximum 180 points. $50 nonrefundable renewal fee. Since July 1, 2018 the Board issues ten-year renewable licenses; 270 points for ten-year renewals. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Virginia Administrative Code: 8VAC20-23-110 Requirements for renewing a license (official)A: 270 professional development points within a 10-year validity period; 180 points for a five-year renewable license; no one is required to renew by earning credit at an institution of higher education. D, F, G, I: first aid/CPR/AED, dyslexia awareness, child abuse recognition and students-with-disabilities training. K: eight options; option 1 college credit offered by any accredited two-year or four-year institution. M: some options need advance approval by the employing agency; people not employed submit to the Office of Professional Licensure with official transcripts from an accredited two-year or four-year institution. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.